What is CBD Oil? Benefits, Dosage & Effects

Updated Jun 3, 2022

Over the past few years, you may have noticed that shops selling "CBD" have begun to pop up everywhere. After all, it's not exactly a secret that the legal CBD industry is estimated to be worth as much as $47.22 billion by only 2028. So to call CBD and legal cannabis products, in general, a booming industry might be a bit of an understatement. What was once a niche product has turned into a nationwide phenomenon, but many people still don't know it. What is CBD oil suitable for? What does CBD oil do? What are the health benefits of CBD oil? Are there side effects of CBD oil? Thankfully, we here at Where's Weed are around to break those questions down in detail, provide answers, and give you the low-down on CBD oil, how to use it, and what impact it can have on users!

What is CBD Oil?

Before we dig too deeply into what exactly CBD can do for its users, let's first break down what exactly CBD is in the first place. After all, it's just one of the hundreds of chemical compounds within a cannabis plant. What makes this one so unique?

Not surprisingly, the two most prominent are also the most sought after. Those two most often studied and well-understood cannabinoid compounds are THC and CBD. While THC provides the "high" associated with marijuana use, CBD has been found to have no psychoactive effects. Instead, the results of CBD are widely thought to be therapeutic.

CBD oil can be extracted from two different cannabis plants: marijuana and hemp. CBD extracted from a marijuana plant will also include low doses of THC. Together, CBD and THC create an entourage effect - it is commonly believed this combination helps unlock the full therapeutic potential of cannabis.

On the other hand, CBD Oil extracted from the hemp plant (a relative of the marijuana plant) does not contain any meaningful amounts of THC. CBD Oil is not to be confused with hemp oil, which does not contain any CBD and is collected from the plant's seeds (hemp oil's side effects and purposes vary from CBD oil).

What is CBD Oil Used For?

CBD oil is commonly used for alternative medicinal purposes as it does not provide a high by itself. That's right, dear reader. CBD weed oil benefits are well-studied, published, and understood!

Based on initial study results and consumer findings, the health benefits of CBD oil may offer a wide range of symptom relief. While the FDA has not approved most of the products available, studies suggest that CBD interacts with the human endocannabinoid system to help combat different diseases and ailments. It is important to note that CBD is currently classified as a supplement, primarily due to the lack of federally funded research due to federal illegality. Therefore, it is not meant to be used as the sole medication for any ailment or condition. It's also worth mentioning that you should always consult with your certified cannabis doctor before starting or stopping any medicine long-term!

What Are the Benefits of CBD Oil?

Cannabis-related studies are being conducted at a higher rate than ever, and what we know about the uses for CBD oil grows as interest increases. Currently, there is a knowledge base with various positive findings.

Here's a list of medical conditions CBD is thought to help counteract:

What Are the Side Effects of CBD Oil?

What is An Appropriate Dosage of CBD Oil?

Since CBD is unregulated, there are no official guidelines for CBD oil dosage. We recommend consulting your doctor before using CBD for medical purposes. And regardless of what symptoms you're attempting to alleviate, it's wise to begin with minimal doses. Take the "slow and low" approach to determine your proper dosage! Since CBD oil will most likely come in a bottle dropper, it's easy to increase the amount by one drop at a time. This way, you can slowly test what levels best suit your needs. It's also good to keep track of how much CBD oil you're ingesting at any given time. The CBD per drop (or bottle) should be listed on the packaging.

Vaping CBD oil is trickier to dose because the amount of CBD ingested depends on the concentration and how much you inhale. Start with minor, infrequent hits if you're new to CBD oil. Then, like with a dropper bottle, increase the frequency until you feel you've found what works best for your body.

Is CBD Oil Legal?

Federal, state, and FDA stances on CBD are chaotic, but there's an overall trend toward nationwide legalization. The 2018 Farm Bill made the production and sale of hemp and its extracts federally legal. As long as CBD comes from hemp and has less than .3 percent THC, it's legal under federal law. However, CBD laws vary by state, especially regarding CBD extracted from the marijuana plant. Many states (i.e., Tennessee, Hawaii, Virginia, Ohio) have no CBD restrictions, while others have laws limiting aspects like consumption methods. For example, Arizona does not allow CBD to be sold or used via food or beverage. Additionally, several states still resist legalization altogether, including Nebraska and Idaho.

Where Can I Find CBD Oil?

CBD oil has become increasingly more accessible over the past few years, and the culture surrounding its use continues to grow. If you're interested in trying CBD oil to benefit from its reported effects potentially, search nearby stores (many states allow for brick and mortar shops), look online for available CBD products, and contact professionals (like budtenders at a dispensary) who can help find what's right for you. CBD products are straightforward to find online if you want to stay home.

Check out our blog for more information about CBD news, products, and legislation. Our website is dedicated to offering a community where cannabis products (both CBD and THC) can be easily searched and reviewed and where relevant industry news can be explored and shared.

Have you tried CBD oil before? Did you like it? Share your story in the comments below!